Debbie Major

Ms. Debbie Major was born on January 9, 1970 and raised in Gee’s Bend, Alabama. She learned to quilt from the women in her family, especially her mother, Ms. Lillie Pettway Major, and her grandmother, Ms. Lizzie Major. As a child, she remembers quilts being taken from storage, washed with lye soap, and aired across the yard to dry, stretching across the landscape in bold colors and patterns that were part of everyday life in Gee’s Bend.

Ms. Debbie began quilting around the age of ten by watching her mother piece quilt tops from fabric scraps brought home from the Freedom Quilting Bee. She first helped with tacking and, over time, developed her own practice. Quilting has remained a consistent part of her life.

In 2011, she experienced a stroke that left her with nerve damage. Since then, she has focused on smaller quilts and wall hangings, continuing to work at her own pace with care and attention to detail.

Sewing has also been a significant part of her working life. She spent many years in garment production, including at American Apparel, where she sewed components for U.S. Marine Corps jackets. She also worked at the Freedom Quilting Bee alongside other women in her family, including her sister, Ms. Lucy Ann Pettway.

One of ten children, Ms. Debbie comes from a large family with deep roots in the Gee’s Bend community. In addition to quilting, she enjoys creating with her hands in other ways, including using her Cricut machine for custom designs.